Earthquake-Resistant Structure and Earthquake-Resistant Construction Method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are an earthquake-resistant structure and an earthquake-resistant construction method which secure survival space and breathable space in a building even when the building is damaged by an earthquake, thus suppressing victims originating from earthquake disaster. Partitions inside the building are removed, and steel racks that support the dead load of a building above the floors when the structure framework of the building is damaged by an earthquake are disposed in an exclusive area in the building to partition the exclusive area into rooms. Joint members or the like which connect a plurality of steel racks are attached to hold the layout form of the steel racks.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an earthquake-resistant structure and an earthquake-resistant construction method, and, particularly, to an earthquake-resistant structure and earthquake-resistant construction method which can secure survival space and breathable space in a building even when the building is broken by an earthquake.

BACKGROUND

It is reported that most causes of the dead in the Great Hanshin Earthquake disaster are suffocation and crushing death. Apparently, if minimum spaces, such as survival space or breathable space, can be secured in a building for over 72 hours, which is said to be the survival time limit when an earthquake occurs, even when the building is collapsed or damaged by an earthquake, human suffering is significantly suppressed.

Recently, various proposals have been made on earthquake-resistant reinforcement of buildings whose strengths are recognized as insufficient in analysis of earthquake resistance of existing buildings which have been designed before the new earthquake-resistant structural design law. However, a construction method of reinforcing one whole building is the general earthquake-resistant reinforcement of existing buildings earthquake-resistant reinforcement, and if a construction work starting from the structural design for reinforcement up to a reinforcement construction is carried out, the construction scale and cost often become greater. Furthermore, in an apartment building, the unit owners have to reach to an agreement on conducting an earthquake-resistant reinforcement construction. Therefore, in an apartment building, particularly, an earthquake-resistant reinforcement construction is not actually carried out smoothly.

Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. H2-128035 discloses an earthquake-resistant reinforcement method for an opening in a reinforced concrete framework by which a rectangular frame is formed along the inner periphery of an opening in a reinforced concrete framework, and braces are provided in the frame.

The earthquake-resistant reinforcement method disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. H2-128035 integrates the framework of a building and a reinforcing member such as a frame by anchor bolts or the like. Accordingly, this method is designed for a single building. Therefore, the method cannot be applied to an earthquake-resistant reinforcement work for the exclusive area of each apartment. In addition, the provision of reinforcing members, such as a frame and braces, makes daily life of residents inconvenient, which may bring discomfort on the residents.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an earthquake-resistant structure and an earthquake-resistant construction method which secure survival space and breathable space in a building even when the building is damaged by an earthquake, thus suppressing victims originating from earthquake disaster.

It is another object of the invention to provide an earthquake-resistant structure and earthquake-resistant construction method which permit an earthquake-resistant reinforcement construction work for the exclusive area of each apartment.

To achieve the objects, an earthquake-resistant structure according to one aspect of the invention includes metal vertical support members disposed at a plurality of locations in an exclusive area in a building as interior equipment or partitions to support a dead load of a building above the floors when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake, and a shape holding member that connects between the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members.

To achieve the objects, an earthquake-resistant structure according to a second aspect of the invention includes metal vertical support members disposed along inner walls of an exclusive area in a building to support a dead load of a building above the floors when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake, and a shape holding member that connects between the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members.

The metal vertical support member may include a metal book shelf, a metal goods rack or a metal partition.

The earthquake-resistant structure may further include a frame structure disposed in the exclusive area of the building and arranged in a space lattice form to form storage space.

The shape holding member may include a joint member to joint the plurality of metal vertical support members.

The shape holding member may include bracing members set to traverse a layout form of the plurality of metal vertical support members disposed as to enclose indoor space of the building.

The shape holding member may include a corner reinforcing member to reinforce intersecting portions of the metal vertical support members arranged adjacent to each other.

To achieve the objects, an earthquake-resistant construction method according to a third aspect of the invention includes the steps of removing partitions of an exclusive area in a building, disposing metal vertical support members that support a dead load of a building above the floors when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake in the exclusive area of the building to partition the exclusive area into rooms, and attaching a shape holding member that connects the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members.

To achieve the objects, an earthquake-resistant construction method according to a fourth aspect of the invention includes disposing metal vertical support members that support a dead load of a building above the floors when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake along partitions of the building, and attaching a shape holding member that connects the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members.

As apparent from the above, it is possible to provide an earthquake-resistant structure and an earthquake-resistant construction method which secure survival space and breathable space in a building even when the building is damaged by an earthquake, thus suppressing victims originating from earthquake disaster. Further, it is possible to provide an earthquake-resistant structure and earthquake-resistant construction method which permit an earthquake-resistant reinforcement construction work for the exclusive area of each apartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of this application can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an earthquake-resistant structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a steel rack constituting the earthquake-resistant structure according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part indicated by “III” in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an exclusive area of each apartment in an apartment building before undertaking construction of the earthquake-resistant structure according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a case where the earthquake-resistant structure according to the exemplary embodiment is arranged in the entire exclusive area of an apartment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a case where the earthquake-resistant structure according to the exemplary embodiment is arranged in part of the exclusive area of an apartment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An earthquake-resistant structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an earthquake-resistant structure according to an exemplary embodiment. The embodiment will be described of a case where the earthquake-resistant structure according to the embodiment is applied to the exclusive area of an apartment in an apartment building.

The earthquake-resistant structure 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes three steel racks 10, four joint members 11, a frame structure 12, upper bracing members 13, lower bracing members 14, rear bracing members 15, and corner reinforcing members 16.

The four joint members 11 connect the steel racks 10 disposed at intervals therebetween.

The frame structure 12 is assembled by a plurality of metal bars.

The upper bracing members 13 are disposed to cross each other over the earthquake-resistant structure 1, and have end portions attached to the steel racks 10 and the frame structure 12.

The lower bracing members 14 are disposed to cross each other under the earthquake-resistant structure 1, and have end portions attached to the steel racks 10 and the frame structure 12.

The rear bracing members 15 are attached to the out surfaces (rear surfaces) of the steel racks 10 and the outer side surfaces (rear surface of the earthquake-resistant structure 1) of the frame structure 12 diagonally.

The corner reinforcing members 16 serve to reinforce the corner portions of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 arranged in a rectangular shape in a plan view.

Those members which constitute the earthquake-resistant structure 1 serve as so-called interior parts, such as partitions in an apartment or the like and components for a apartment. Those members have heights substantially from the floor of a living space where the earthquake-resistant structure 1 is installed to the ceiling, and support the dead load of a building above the floor where the earthquake-resistant structure 1 is installed when the columns or the like of the building are crushed, thereby securing survival space and breathable space in the building.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the steel rack 10 serving as a metal vertical support member constituting the earthquake-resistant structure 1. The steel rack 10 is, for example, a book shelf or a goods rack which conforms to the JIS standards. The steel rack 10 has a height substantially from the floor of the living space to the ceiling. The steel rack 10 is set up along, for example, the walls of a building. In this case, the steel rack 10 also serves as a partition. Multifarious existing steel racks 10 are available according to goods to be retained. A resident can freely select any of multifarious existing steel racks 10 according to the usage. Beside the steel rack 10, a partition with a predetermined thickness can be used as a metal vertical support member.

When the columns or the like of a building at the story where the earthquake-resistant structure 1 is installed are crushed, the steel racks 10 support the dead load of a building above. The dead load of a building above is supported mainly by four support poles 10 a located at the four corners of the steel rack 10, side plates 10 b constituting the steel rack 10, and the back plate (not shown) of the steel rack 10. To select the steel racks 10, therefore, it is necessary to fulfill the condition that secure survival space and breathable space are secured for at least the survival time limit (72 hours) at the time of occurrence of an earthquake when the steel racks support the dead load of a building above, as well as the condition that the steel racks fulfill the resident's purpose of usage. Although an earthquake causes horizontal force to be applied to the earthquake-resistant structure 1, the attachment of the upper bracing members 13, the corner reinforcing members 16, etc. can keep the initial shape of the earthquake-resistant structure 1. To secure the survival space or the like for a resident, steel racks which can endure the dead load of a building above are selected.

When a gap is formed between the upper surface of the steel rack 10 and the ceiling, a rubber plate 17 is inserted in the gap. This can allow the dead load of a building above to be transmitted to the steel rack 10 smoothly and prevents sound leakage from the gap.

When the upper bracing member 13 and the lower bracing member 14 (hereinafter the upper bracing member 13 and the lower bracing member 14 are simply referred to as “bracing members” when the former is not distinguished from the latter) are formed by, for example, a steel-stranded wire rope. As shown in FIG. 1, the two upper bracing members 13 have their end portions to attached to the upper fixing portions of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 in such a way as to cross each other above the earthquake-resistant structure 1 formed in a rectangular shape. The two lower bracing members 14 have their end portions to attached to the lower fixing portions of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 in such a way as to cross each other under the earthquake-resistant structure 1 formed in a rectangular shape. Those bracing members hold the shape of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 arranged in a rectangular shape against the tensile strength to widen the distance between both end portions due to an earthquake-originated shaking Accordingly, the earthquake-resistant structure 1 can support the dead load of a building above in the state of the initial shape. Various tensile strength members which can secure a predetermined strength, such as high-strength synthetic resin rope and carbon fiber wire, besides a steel wire rope, can be used as the material for the bracing members.

According to the embodiment, like the aforementioned bracing members, the rear bracing members 15 are formed by, for example, a wire rope. As shown in FIG. 1, the two rear bracing members 15 have their end portions attached to the corners of the rear surface and side surface of the steel rack 10 and the frame structure 12 (outer surfaces of the earthquake-resistant structure 1), so that the two rear bracing members 15 cross each other. The rear bracing members 15 prevent the steel rack 10 and the frame structure 12 from being deformed due to an earthquake-originated shaking

The joint members 11 are formed of any of various kinds of steel, such as an angle steel and a channel steel, which conform to, for example, the JIS standards. As shown in FIG. 1, two joint members 11 are arranged at the upper part, and two joint members 11 are arranged at the lower part. The four joint members 11 in total connect two steel racks 10 set with an interval therebetween at the upper part and the lower part. Bolt holes (not shown) are formed in the steel rack 10 to be joined to the joint members 11 by bolts. As the two steel racks 10 are joined by the joint members 11, the shape of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 arranged in a rectangular shape is held firmly. As the steel racks 10 are connected with an interval therebetween by the joint members 11, an opening 25 for entrance and exit is formed in the earthquake-resistant structure 1. Attaching a door (not shown) to the opening 25 can form a room to be survival space enclosed by the earthquake-resistant structure 1.

The corner reinforcing members 16 are also formed of a shaped steel, such as an angle steel or a channel. The corner reinforcing members 16 are attached to the corners of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 2 to keep the shape of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 formed in a rectangular shape. The corner reinforcing members 16 may be omitted when they are not necessary in design.

The frame structure 12 assembled by a shaped steel, such as an angle steel, into a space lattice, to which a top plate, a back plate, side plates, shelf plates, etc. are attached. Space is formed inside the frame structure 12 assembled this way. A resident can use this space as a storage space to store futon (bedding), clothes, etc. From the viewpoint of design, a door or the like can be attached to the frame structure 12 and/or each shelf. The frame structure 12 is coupled to the adjacent steel rack 10 by unillustrated bolts. Then, the frame structure 12 supports the load of a building above.

Next, the structure of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 according to the embodiment of the invention will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the portion indicated by “III” in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, an eye bolt 18 is attached to the top side of the steel rack 10. One end of the upper bracing member 13 is engaged with the head hole of the eye bolt 18 by a crimp-style connecting sleeve 19. The other end of the upper bracing member 13 is engaged with the head hole of another eye bolt 18 attached to the top side of the steel rack 10. In this manner, the upper bracing member 13 is tensioned between the eye bolts 18 attached to substantially the diagonal line of the earthquake-resistant structure 1.

Gusset plates 20 which support the corner reinforcing member 16 are attached to the top portion of the steel rack 10. The corner reinforcing member 16 has both ends coupled to the steel rack 10 by the gusset plates 20 and bolts 21 to reinforce the corner portions of the earthquake-resistant structure 1.

Unillustrated eye bolts are also attached to the lower portion of the steel rack 10 and the lower bracing member 14 is tensioned between the eye bolts (not shown) to connect the earthquake-resistant structure 1 diagonally.

As shown in FIG. 2, a base plate 23 is attached to the lower portion of the steel rack 10. The steel rack 10 is fixed to the floor via the base plate 23 fixed by an unillustrated anchor bolt. Accordingly, even when an earthquake occurs, the earthquake-resistant structure 1 can be held at a predetermined position.

Next, a method of constructing the earthquake-resistant structure 1 according to the embodiment will be described referring to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exclusive area of an apartment in an apartment building before installing the earthquake-resistant structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a case where the earthquake-resistant structure according to the embodiment is arranged in the entire exclusive area shown in FIG. 4.

The exclusive area of the apartment shown in FIG. 4 is defined by pillars 31 and a wall body 32. An entrance opening 32 a for forming an entrance and window openings 32 b for forming windows are formed in the wall body 32.

Such an exclusive area of a apartment has a room 35 formed by, for example, partitions 33 a, 33 b, and a storage space 36 formed by partitions 33 c, 33 d. In general, implementation of reconstruction or earthquake-resistant structure reinforcement of an apartment building is considered as a result of earthquake-resistant analysis. However, differences in family structures, incomes, etc. often make it difficult to reach agreement on reconstruction or earthquake-resistant structure reinforcement. Therefore, even residents who desire earthquake-resistant reinforcement must keep living in the apartment building under the present conditions if majority of the unit owners reach to agreement on the reconstruction or earthquake-resistant structure reinforcement. In such a situation, the earthquake-resistant construction method according to the embodiment of the invention can permit implementation of earthquake-resistant construction apartment by exclusive area of the apartment building owned by a unit owner, and can enhance safety of an individual apartment more easily and at a lower cost as compared to the conventional construction method.

By installing the earthquake-resistant structure 1 according to the embodiment, first, all the partitions including the partitions 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d shown in FIG. 4 are removed. Next, the component members (including the steel racks 10) of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 are disposed at predetermined positions. A part of the steel rack 10 is disposed along the wall body 32. It is preferable that the steel racks 10 are disposed under beam members (not shown) which are the structure framework of the apartment building. This can permit the steel racks 10 to support the load of a building above via the beam members even when the pillars at the floor where the earthquake-resistant structure 1 is introduced.

To avoid interfering with the passing or views of residents, the steel racks 10 are not disposed at portions corresponding to the entrance opening 32 a and the window opening 32 b, and the joint members 11 which hold the form of the earthquake-resistant structure 1 are set up instead. The joint members 11 are attached to adequate locations, such as a place where a door is set up and a passage, to achieve integration of the earthquake-resistant structure 1.

When a comparatively large storage space, such as a closet, is secured in a living space, the frame structure 12 assembled of a shape steel into a space lattice is set up in the living space. The size, shape and setup location of the frame structure 12 can be freely set according to the demand of the resident.

The aforementioned upper bracing member 13 and the corner reinforcing member 16 are attached to the steel racks 10, the joint members 11, the frame structure 12, etc. which are set up in the above manner to prevent the earthquake-resistant structure 1 from being deformed by an earthquake.

The use of the earthquake-resistant structure and the earthquake-resistant construction method according to the embodiment of the invention can bring about the following effects.

When the vertical members of a building, such as columns, are crushed by an earthquake, as described above, the dead load of a building above can be supported by the steel racks 10, the frame structure 12, etc. Those members are selected so that survival space and breathable space for the resident can be secured for at least the time equivalent to the survival time limit for humans, and their arrangement is determined. Therefore, earthquake-originated human suffering can be suppressed.

Since the earthquake-resistant structure 1 according to the embodiment of the invention can be arranged by existing steel racks 10 and general-purpose shape steels or the like, development of new members is not necessary. Therefore, the invention can be worked out quickly, and the construction cost can be suppressed.

The earthquake-resistant construction method according to the invention is not designed to reinforce a whole building, but can be carried out for each apartment of a resident who will implement an earthquake-resistant work. It is therefore unnecessary to obtain agreement of the individual unit owners in an apartment building, so that the earthquake-resistant work can be carried out smoothly.

In addition, the steel rack 10 constituting the earthquake-resistant structure can be selected freely according to the demand of a resident from multifarious types. Therefore, the resident can form a desired storage space at a desired location, thus improving the convenience.

Further, the individual members constituting the earthquake-resistant structure 1 serve as partitions of a room. The resident can comparatively freely change the layout of the apartment before the earthquake-resistant construction to the layout of the apartment that matches the current family structure.

Furthermore, since the individual members of the steel rack 10 or the like can be coupled by bolts, no special technique is needed in constituting the earthquake-resistant structure 1. This may allow the resident to construct the earthquake-resistant structure 1 himself/herself, so that the earthquake-resistant work can be carried out smoothly.

The invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment, and may be modified and applied in various other forms. Although the foregoing description of the embodiment has been given of the case where the earthquake-resistant structure is arranged in the entire exclusive area of an apartment, the earthquake-resistant structure 1 may be arranged only in a part of a apartment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the case where the earthquake-resistant structure 1 is arranged in part of the exclusive area of an apartment. In this embodiment, after partitions 33 e, 33 f shown in FIG. 4 are removed, the earthquake-resistant structure 1 is arranged. Such a construction method is particularly effective for a resident who wants to suppress the cost low.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the earthquake-resistant structure 1 is arranged after partitions 33 a, 33 b, etc. are removed in the exclusive area. However, the steel racks 10 may be disposed along the wall 32 and the partitions 33 a, 33 b, etc. to construct the earthquake-resistant structure 1 without removing the interior at all. Such an earthquake-resistant construction method does not need for the cost for removing the interior, such as the partitions, and can thus suppress the construction cost lower.

Although the foregoing description of the embodiment has been given of the case where the earthquake-resistant structure and earthquake-resistant construction method according to the invention are applied to an apartment building, they can of course be applied to a house, an office building, etc.

Having described and illustrated the principles of this application by reference to one (or more) preferred embodiment(s), it should be apparent that the preferred embodiment(s) may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the principles disclosed herein and that it is intended that the application be construed as including all such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An earthquake-resistant structure comprising: metal vertical support members disposed at a plurality of locations in an exclusive area in a building as interior equipment or partitions to support a dead load of a building above a floor that the metal vertical support members are disposed when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake; and a shape holding member that connects between the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members.
 2. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 1, wherein the metal vertical support member comprises a metal book shelf, a metal goods rack or a metal partition.
 3. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 1, further comprising a frame structure disposed in the exclusive area of the building and arranged in a space lattice form to form storage space.
 4. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 1, wherein the shape holding member includes a joint member to joint the plurality of metal vertical support members.
 5. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 1, wherein the shape holding member includes bracing members set to traverse a layout form of the plurality of metal vertical support members disposed as to enclose indoor space of the building.
 6. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 1, wherein the shape holding member includes a corner reinforcing member to reinforce intersecting portions of the metal vertical support members arranged adjacent to each other.
 7. An earthquake-resistant structure comprising: metal vertical support members disposed along inner walls of an exclusive area in a building to support a dead load of a building above a floor that the metal vertical support members are disposed when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake; and a shape holding member that connects between the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members.
 8. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 7, wherein the metal vertical support member comprises a metal book shelf, a metal goods rack or a metal partition.
 9. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 7, further comprising a frame structure disposed in the exclusive area of the building and arranged in a space lattice form to form storage space.
 10. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 7, wherein the shape holding member includes a joint member to joint the plurality of metal vertical support members.
 11. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 7, wherein the shape holding member includes bracing members set to traverse a layout form of the plurality of metal vertical support members disposed as to enclose indoor space of the building.
 12. The earthquake-resistant structure according to claim 7, wherein the shape holding member includes a corner reinforcing member to reinforce intersecting portions of the metal vertical support members arranged adjacent to each other.
 13. An earthquake-resistant construction method comprising the steps of: removing partitions of an exclusive area in a building; disposing metal vertical support members that support a dead load of a building above a floor that the metal vertical support members are disposed when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake in the exclusive area of the building to partition the exclusive area into rooms; and attaching a shape holding member that connects the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members.
 14. An earthquake-resistant construction method comprising the steps of: disposing metal vertical support members that support a dead load of a building above a floor that the metal vertical support members are disposed when a structure framework is damaged by an earthquake along partitions of the building; and attaching a shape holding member that connects the plurality of metal vertical support members to hold a layout form of the metal vertical support members. 